The Age of Akaige

By Pakkrat

Chapter 5: Falling Unto Darkness

Note: Sorry I took so long to update. I made sure to throw some great fights in and shortened some of the stuff but it is still worth the time to read. Most important, I do not own Teen Titans, Justice League, X-men, Fooly Cooly, Paranoia Agent, Avengers, Doom Patrol, Oh… I just own the Kagejin and some other things if I say so. Other than that, they belong to others whom are the rightful creators unless I specifically say otherwise! This chapter has GRAPHIC death scenes so if you honestly feel disturbed I apologize. Truth be told you're probably disturbed anyway if you read this long! Oh... ho... not funny?

After the initial shock, the first few moments of realization she was too late, Haruko revs her engine as a warning to the demon ahead of her that she was coming. She could have just sat there in silence for all the good it did. Akaige had been mainly captivated from his forming into reality. Every time he achieves the forming Akaige is never surprised how it feels. His whole epidermis has now this tingly sensation as his flesh is made real and his claw always seems to tingle a little more each time. The noise does seem to register as it comes in on a charging sort of rush.

Akaige turns back to Haruko who is riding closely on her own heels with the guitar swung off her shoulder and now in her one arm for a swing. Akaige glares those mist like eyes on her attack and swings his claws not at her but Naota. The claw digs into Naota's head not cutting him, but instead into the head like the vortex it proves to still be. From it a serpent like hilt is pulled out, and from an open mouth decoration with fangs as hand guards the hilt shows a long, largely fanned out blade. The blade is to a sword, the flat paddle sword has razor edging, and the end is tipped in a forked two prong as if the blade positioned from the hilt were an actual tongue of a snake.

Akaige waits some time for Haruko to close before clashing his sword to the guitar and as she passed by he turns with his swing to follow her now riding past. Akaige watches her wobble a little bit, but she steadies and prepares to cross again. The vespa rides fast like before as some sort of mechanical steed. Akaige waits and this time instead of clashing his sword with her guitar he drops to his knees as in a squat and flings the sword from his side. The vespa crossed over the blade and the tires are cut into two pieces each, the vespa wobbles and weaves before simply allowing itself to stop. Haruko falls with her vespa and soon she now stood up again glaring at Akaige tightening her grip on her guitar. Haruko was ready to begin charging on Akaige like a mad woman but his words catch her off-guard, "We could fight till the end of time Haruko and still it would not matter. Take your boy and girl, leave, and if you are wise you will leave this world to me."

Haruko looked a little like a deer in some headlights from this, an ultimatum? "Are you afraid of me?"

"Sweet kage no." Akaige chuckles under his own breath before turning around and finding Little Slugger rolling up to his back "I merely have other matter to attend to. Time is of the essence as I know my enemies are as we speak conspiring to destroy me before my time is up. I must hurry and make the strike on their field and morale swift and precise. In order to win this war, I must use to my benefit all the knowledge I have on them. Even you," Akaige turns his head over his shoulder to Haruko, "I know you have no allegiance to the earth. You came for the boy well take him. I do not need to kill him I got what I wanted, now be gone."

Haruko king of looks at Naota who is tiredly crawling to Ninamori. She now finds Canti is on his way floating in like Buddha or something. "You're late… take Ninamori to the hospital, Naota too!"

Canti lands and grabs the two children tossing them over his shoulders. Canti floats to the hospital as Haruko turns to Akaige, "I really don't want any part of your war! Just stay out of my way Akaige!"

"Funny, I thought I just said the same thing to you." Akaige turns on his heels a little and bows, brushing his arms he leads the path for Haruko to cross the bridge and Little Slugger who is confused merely skates to the side of Akaige letting Haruko go. Haruko has her guitar in a prepared swing as she slowly crosses the bridge in front of the two. Akaige waits for her to leave and be at the end of the bridge before returning to Little Slugger, Slugger asks "Why didn't you kill her?"

"It is unnecessary for now. If she gets in the way I will." Akaige flips his cape as he turns, Slugger skates slowly with a smile with Akaige, "Besides, we have an entire planet to burn to the ground. We can worry about one punk-rocker girl and her friends later on."

In the strange council gathered at the steps were Raven and her associates of that group. Thanos was still with them though a part of him knew he would leave soon. Raven sat with more concern than ever, how could Akaige be planning to enter her world? Fate stood with the most distain, not upset over the fact Akaige had some other way but in something else "I guess it is fate. Raven," Raven looks up to him with worry, "I need you to return to my library with me. There is little time, but much to do."

Raven was confused but nods "Yes Dr. Fate. What are you planning?"

"I know a spell that can only be used once; it slows down time in one space. I will teach it to you first, and then send you and my books to that one space where you may learn in a few hours, what may take many years for others."

The others in the group are murmuring in hushed questions. Only The Watcher nods adding "This spell is one I taught him from a dead race of time-travelers. The plan is you will not be affected, rather displaced in time itself. What is only a few hours here or on earth will pass as years for you Raven, but your body will not age any different than if still in your world and time. From those outside the spell's casting range you will seem to be moving at speeds unfathomable, you could learn all the spells Fate knows and many he has not yet learned. That is why we have done this it is our only option left now."

Raven looked very frightened, "How can you trust me with this? I may not be able to learn all those spells in time, or wield them well enough. What if Akaige is stronger or if…"

Fate shakes his head to her questions before screaming "Enough! This is not a time to question but act! Raven, will you do it or not?" Raven looks at Fate, his eyes seem not angry but frightened. She nods and he looses the fear, it is now calm and relieved. "Good let us move on Raven."

"Telegram!" Raven and the others watch as a fat little man waddles over with strange blue paint on his face. Red flaming eyes burn with a cruel and decayed toothy grin. His apparel was a red traveling message boy with many stains and grease marks. He holds out to raven a message with many dirty marks and smudges on it; she takes and opens it to find something inside. "… Oh… gross…"

Fate looks over her shoulder and cringes. Even Silver Surfer who had awoken sees the item and falls back unconscious again. "These are just pictures of you… in a…"

The Clown faced fat-man blinks before taking the pictures, "Oops! Wrong message! That's for my little demon-honey back home." The fat man shakes free of the clothes showing off very ratty clothing of a jacket with tons of buttons and patches along with loose brown pants. His shirt was a black and yellow streaked one that covers most, but not the navel of his overly bulged belly. "Aw, didn't like my sexay-boday?"

Thanos glares on the fat man, "He is a demon of very distasteful nature."

"Hey, I resemble that remark!" The Clown smiles on Raven before taking a bow, "Greetings kid the name's Violator. I've been sent to help out your team. Well, not me necessarily but I did bring someone that can help your stupid little bunch."

The sound of chains make the groups turn and find a large red mass swirling around a solitary dark figure. That figure has a black skin like armor, white streaks from the chest and covering around his glowing green eyes. "Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce the one, but not really the only, Spawn."

The long red caped specter steps forward with his armor covered skin glistening a charge of green bolts. His eyes rounded with white decorative color makes a mask on his armor's face, but the eyes looking out were pure green energy. The long cape moves like water and soon his hands with red gloves and spiked knuckles offer out to shake Raven's smaller, paler hands "They call me Spawn. My real name is Al Simmons."

"We, in the hell world, like to call him Mr. Crispy!"

Spawn glares his eyes in a surge of energy making Violator hop back rubbing his fingers like a parent to a child, "Ah, ah, ah! Clown no like Crispy the gods are here. Just between you an me, I'm not too stupid to not know when to call it quits pal! You and your little friends have fun I prefer the company of the deceased to good doers."

Violator disperses in flames leaving Spawn to turn to Raven; his downcast view makes her uneasy so he offers his hand again "It is a pleasure to meet you Raven."

"You… know my name?"

"I do. Actually, not many minions of hell do not know your father nor his many offspring. I still wonder why he uses the same woman in each dimension when always the daughter or son born is just as stubborn as the last."

"My father was never one for common sense. He feels if you brute it out long enough sooner or later you'll win."

Spawn chuckles to Raven's relief he seems sort of nice. "So what is next?" Spawn notices the looks of the others "I'm here from another time and reality with extra power just for this fight. Malebolgia may hate me, but he knows I'm able to fight better than most his other Spawns."

Fate nods "I see Raven." Raven looks up to Fate, "We will awake in my library where I have some materials to help you train. After that, I know what you must do. You must train to achieve a power of unimaginable limitless strength, a mystical plane beyond normal mages." Fate grabs Raven's shoulders "I will leave you in capable hands, and then they will train you fully to use your powers like you never have before."

"Why don't you?"

Fate notices Thanos's interest, "Because… I won't be alive long enough to teach her."

The many beings aside from The Watcher all gasp. Fate is soon bombarded in questions but he speaks up "I know my fate. Akaige will not allow my intervention to go unnoticed. I must not give away what is happening, that you are training. If Akaige realizes Raven is being readied to fight him then all is lost. She is our last hope since her power is able to feed off her emotions."

"That's the problem! My emotions make my powers too unstable and…" Fate grabs her shoulder, "Raven, trust me this will not end poorly. When your training is over your power will be unimaginable." Fate nods, "Let's go. There is little time left." Fate looks to Spawn, "Go to the city and fight. With your powers and skills you may be capable of holding off the attentions of Akaige's men a little longer."

"Whatever." Spawn is disappearing through a portal and Raven now feels Fate opening another one. "Now we must train. This is your teacher."

Raven enters the library where she sees one book, one familiar book. "Malchior!"

In the city of Metropolis a very familiar hero scours the air. He is called Superman and soon he lands to the side of a news van before sneaking inside of it. Outside, a woman in a burgundy suit has just finished her report on some kind of bank heist. She has black hair and blue eyes but as she was headed to the truck with a smile on before a young man asks "Seeing Clark again?"

Louis Lane, the famous female reporter turns to the young boy with red hair and dimples, "Jimmy Olsen? What is with you and always trying to see me and Clark together?" She glares more in anger making Jimmy cringe, "Oh, and why do you call him by that name? Do you know what would happen if any villain learnt who Superman really is?"

"Sorry Louis. I just find myself having trouble figuring out one is the other."

"Why?" Louis shrugs, "The only real difference is the glasses. I still can't believe I didn't figure it out until after he told me." Louis opens the door and looks back saying "Take care Jimmy. Me and Clark need some ALONE time."

"Sure thing Louis." Jimmy turns kicking a can. Clark or Superman was his idol. Whenever he could he likes to hear what is happening in his life. As he turns into an alley to get back on to his apartment building he moans to himself, "I wish Superman would hang out with me."

Jimmy kicks the can into the darkness of the alley. The can then bounces back out of the shadows and to Jimmy's foot. Jimmy blinks and looks up slowly, a chill up his spine as the shadows looked at him with a purple mist for eyes, "Oh," The three claws lay calmly to the petrified face, "It's your lucky day Jimmy."

In the van, Superman just smiles as Louis Lane strolls to him seductively. "So big guy what all have you been up to lately?"

"Oh the same old, same old. Saving the world, stopping mad scientists, and now finding the secrets of the Kagejin."

"Kagejin?" Louis raises a brow as her investigator nature plays itself out. "Sounds like something Luthor made for mothers day."

"Nope. This one seems more out of his league. Still, I have a bad feeling. J'onn really has been worried on this one Louis."

Louis nods and leans onto her command prompters. Sort of taking that serious movement Superman smirks asking "You loosing track on us little lady?"

"What?" Louis shakes her mind free, "I just was thinking how strange things have been. All this commotion in Jump City and now this."

"What commotion?" Superman then hears knocking. He glares and bolts to the side as Louis opens the one door. "What is it Charlie?"

"Man, you know Jimmy? He's on the top of that building threatening to jump!"

"What!" Louis looks to Superman who was just as worried. "Which one?"

"The really tall one Louis! That one over there!"

Louis nods and pushes Charlie back out the van "Okay, let's go and see what we can do… and pray that SUPERMAN will COME in time."

Superman waits for her to leave and flies off. It was fast and speedy that Superman was on the roof. "Jimmy! What's wrong Jimmy?"

Jimmy was not speaking. Soon Superman realizes they were not alone. Jimmy is being held on the edge by one arm stretched from the distance where Superman couldn't see. "Who are you? Let him go!"

"So many wishes. First Jimmy wishes to hang out with Superman. Now you wish me to let him go." From the shadows Akaige steps out with his arm bending like a large serpent. The claws seem to twitch allowing the jacket holding Jimmy over the edge slightly twain, "Now, since Jimmy's wish put him into such danger just how dangerous would wishing me to let him go be right here?"

Superman glares with more concern "Okay just stay calm. Don't do anything you'll regret."

"I never regret the things I do. It is one of the perks of being a soulless monster." Akaige lets go of Jimmy only to grab him again. Superman twitched in an attempt to dive after. "Another perk, I don't have the weakness of caring for weak creatures like this one. That was a quick reflex though. Hey, how fast are you really?"

"As fast as a speeding bullet." Superman smirks a little, "I'm also faster than you."

Superman does a plow to now have something flutter past him. Superman halts on his heel and turns to see Akaige was on the other side, his cape falling down round him like he had moved. "You don't want to bet on that would you? Remember your age has slowed you a little. If only you were in your peak physical condition this might be more interesting."

"What do you want?" Superman notices the look in his eyes, a chill up his spine he hears the grim voice say, "You people make stupid wishes, when you know all I want is to make people suffer."

Superman begins his start to chase after the soon falling Jimmy. Akaige has released Jimmy and moves his claw to grab Superman's wrist. Superman flies past the grapple turning with that momentum he swings a strong punch. Akaige pitches his head to the backhand of the punch and pushed forward to pound his knuckles into the ribs of Superman. Superman cringes as he's hit hard, but with a push off from his arm Akaige is forced to let go. Superman now turns off and blasts towards the pavement. Akaige turns down the building sort of chuckling, "Simple minded."

Superman flew fast and strong trying to pass the windows as if a flash. Jimmy was far enough ahead so Superman used all his speed to reach out in a desperate attempt which catches the one leg sleeve of Jimmy. The sudden stop jolts Jimmy awake making him look to the ground than gulp before being plopped down. "Thanks Superman!"

"Hey it is you after all."

Jimmy stands up and brushes off his clothes. Superman now sort of thinks back to the fight and remembers the moment Akaige had pushed behind his punch… he said something…

"Don't you wish you had more time… with her?"

Superman looks in some horror. His eyes loose sight of the young boy and more on the van half way across the city.

Louis Lane rushes into the van sighing as her cameraman was busy telling her how the building was all the way across town, and how she should know that. Louis knew she didn't want to see Jimmy getting killed anyway, but Superman never fails. "That's Superman. Nothing can go wrong with him around."

Louis sits down looking at the black TV screen in the van, her eyes shake as a figure looms behind her, their claw clasping her head it speaks "You wouldn't like to bet on that would you?"

Superman lands at the van and looks at it. Silent and peaceful as it was Superman had a strange chill. Superman reached forward but as his hand made to the handle, a scream and the van shook violently. Superman was caught off guard, he steps back and watches as a flood of crimson sank under the doors. "Louis!" Superman rips off the doors and his eyes view a scene of horror. He turns away from the dilapidated form and begins gagging then vomiting. She was torn up, claws dug through her clothes and flesh tangling her tendrils and intestines with the mulched crimson mush that was once his beloved Louis.

Superman now notices the foot stepping over the mess and out the truck. As he steps down the blood moves from his feet and leaves a bare spot on the ground. "I find bathing in blood is more a leisure activity. This moment I am on duty." Akaige steps over a few feet away from Superman rolling his hand in his palm, blood dripped from the claw hand to the ground. "Is it not a sad thing? Your duty keeps you from all you love."

"You killed her? Why? Why did you kill her?" Superman's fists are so tightly clenched that his knuckles were white. Akaige notices and in a pleased voice he says "To show you the thing you never wish to believe. That you can't save them all the time."

"That's it! I know that! What's wrong with you?" Superman flies up and punches but Akaige bends on his one leg pushing up into a rising uppercut. Superman is flat on his back when Akaige comes down with his one knee bearing on Superman's neck, the claw clenching to Superman's face.

"What's wrong with me? Nothing is wrong with me Superman but you, there is much wrong with you. I'll speak to you again soon. I just have some other business." Akaige latches off his claw and stands up, a chuckle and he says "I merely wanted to see your actions to the death of the woman now."

Superman fires his eyes but Akaige swirls into his cape and the masses swirl into the shadows disappearing to the darkness. Superman stands up grabbing his face and looking at something he never saw before. When the claw gripped his head it cut him, Superman saw his blood. "He can cut me?" Superman looks then to Louis's body, and his eyes water "Why her? Why did it have to be her?"

Raven studied the books and spells with no trouble thanks to, surprisingly, Malchior. Malchior explained that he and Akaige had some past together which kept him very weary around the shadow lord. Akaige has "forgiven" the past to a degree. Still, Malchior wanted out of the way of this war and asked that Fate let this book be placed in the hands of another outside their dimension. Malchior's method of teaching was very useful. It almost seemed like Malchior never betrayed Raven the way she smiled. Then, as the memory returns Raven returns to her training not the memories.

Fate was watching as she rose up her hands and formed an energy jade colored phoenix in her palms. Then he turns to the large doors that would lead to his library. "Malchior… the time is now."

"What?" Malchior turns to the doors and nods "I sense it too. Raven my dear we must go to a new location."

"Where?" Raven looks to the door "What's wrong?"

"This new location will allow you to train much longer, what will be like years will only be hours in our world. Trust us we know what we're doing!" The books in the library were all disappearing. Raven seems very confused, until she hears a loud slamming noise. "Akaige!"

Fate turns to Raven and nods "I know. You must be going our hopes all ride on your burdened shoulders."

"No! He will kill you."

"I know but that is inevitable." Fate hears the door buckling again. "Please go! There is not much time!" a portal opens and Malchior tried to drag her into it. Raven pulls free screaming "I'm going to help you fight him!"

"No Raven!" Fate glares to her but his eyes go calm. He pulls something from his belt and tosses it to Raven. She grabs the item; it was a golden pendant with a red jewel with the center of a golden raven. "My mother's…"

"I know. She asked me to hold onto it. That was the last time I was on Azarath."

"You're from Azarath?" Fate nods. The door begins to buckle more from the pounding. "It's time for you to go Raven. This is my choice, and my fate."

Raven looks to the portal, to Fate, the doors, and then to Fate she smiles saying "Thank you."

Raven disappears just as the two doors break open and to the floor tumbling down several steps leading to the main floor. The sound of a step on the first step, then several more steps chime with the descending Akaige, his arms out he says "Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do!"

"Calviera!" Fate's hands glow with indigo light that flashes out on his enemy. Akaige raised his claw screaming "Palthefaos!" and a field of red energy rises off the claws and in front to block the blasts.

Fate now begins to levitate and chant several spells that vary in color and form, some energy and others were like a mist. Fate's powers did not seem to faze the field so he soon tries to cause the floor to crack open. "Ra Reaim Safaka!"

Before Fate could act, the field was dropped and from the opposite hand of Akaige a strange red and black beam rips through the dirt and dust in the air, it impacts on Fate's chest causing the mage to falter up in a peak where his body numbly, sorely, but loudly slams to the ground. On the ground Fate's armor on his chest is covered in slight crystals of ice as if the beam was cold as space. The burning of his chest was not heat but such cold. Akaige steps over slowly before flicking his finger on the armor causing it to crackle then break, showing the bare chest with freezer-burns Akaige leisurely holds his claws over the still tired Fate's chest, then digs slowly into the numb flesh. At first Fate does not notice as his body was numbed in the cold, but deep enough his eyes react in pain but his screams are held in his chest.

"I can't help wonder why you thought you could win a fight with me."

"I knew I could not… but I had to try."

"Why not escape? I'm sure you could have ran."

"This was my fate." Fate glares to the side with the twisting of the claws, "I chose to stay."

"Ah, so where are all those books you own? They seem to be missing?"

"I will never tell you. Torture me, I will not talk."

Akaige's claws dig a little deeper as Fate still could not fight back "Oh I'm not torturing you, well not for the information. The only question I expect you to answer now is how long your body can withstand this pain before…" The claws dig deeper, "You…" Fate's eyes widen in more horrific pain, "DIE!"

Raven and Malchior stood in this realm of multitudes, colors swirl and whirl unlike any she knew before "Where are we?"

"This is a point in space and time that shifts in an awkward motion to all the rest of our reality." Raven is confused, "Well, one hour here is a millionth of a second in your time. Your body is still in your reality and time; we are trapped in the space between. When we leave here, our bodies will reemerge into the library and from there you will have all the power we can offer." Malchior murmurs "If that will be enough I'm not sure."

"Malchior." Malchior turns to Raven; her eyes slightly worried "You know this Akaige tell me what you think of him."

Magneto told his daughter to get her boyfriend out of this building. After she screamed he was not her boyfriend, she grabbed Toad and dragged him out to the doorway. "Hey, dad!"

Magneto turned to see her confused smile, "Thank… you."

Magneto was also confused, but his smile and something of pride in how he helped her made him nod. Then the large club arm swings Magneto through a wall. Magneto pushes up and his body jolts with power, crushing up some metals into spears his fields launch the ore into the large crystalline armor, "Just go! I have this Wanda!"

As Holocaust was being bombarded Wanda runs off with Toad. Holocaust flings his club smashing the spears and now harbors his rage on Magneto. "Okay, show me what you've got!"

Magneto raised his hands showing how metal was forming over them like gauntlets, "That was my plan."

Magneto and Holocaust charge each other meeting to the middle of the burning wreck. Their two great strengths bounced off each other's midsections and upper bodies making them bob and weave from each strike. Magneto is knocked on one knee when he looks up with rage, "No more!" His hands flare up and a bus slams through to slam Holocaust into another wall. Magneto smirks as the bus stops crunching and crackling. Magneto turns flipping his cape, then he hears the creaking of metal. He turns to see the bus's windows begin to shatter and a large flame pops through the bus row through row. Magneto raises a field to block the inferno that broke out through the bus leaving the two sides of the bus and the melted floor. Fire and ash rose around the burning bus contrasting the large figure slowly strolling from the front of the bus to the back. They leapt off the bus high to the air and then down in front of Magneto with the club arm to the ground. Standing in a cocky grin slowly was Holocaust; he raises his arms and shrugs the broad shoulders, "Where is all this power you boast about Magneto?"

Magneto floats into the air and calls up several metal manholes. They begin spinning like mad and Magneto tosses these discs on the fiery behemoth. Holocaust grinned a little as he smacks the most of them away, but some get past and with their rotating speeds and forced throw Holocaust topples with each buckling hit. Holocaust falls to one knee glaring to the ground, "Filthy gene-traitors! We mutants are superior Magnus!"

Holocaust screams as his club arm struck fist first to the ground. The vents over the fist end fire up like thrusters launching Holocaust to the air. His large form flips in the air to allow his wide back to slam over Magneto carrying the leader mutant with his hellish force. Flipping a little at his side Holocaust wraps his arm over Magneto's neck for a headlock. After that he turns up his club to the air to fire him and Magneto to the ground again. The force of the two makes the pavement shatter all around, and as the rubble rustles around their forms and Magneto gags up his own blood from several ribs cracking Holocaust speaks, "My father wished for a world where only the strong would survive." Holocaust lets go of the traumatized Magneto letting some little bits of rock and asphalt fall off his shoulders to the bleeding side of Magneto. Holocaust screams as he raises the club up again "I hereby proclaim YOU are not FIT!"

Holocaust has a small, slender form grab his one raised arm. The next thing a bare hand on his shoulder, "What the…" His eyes widen ten times as he screams grabbing at his face. The girl Rogue leaps off and runs to Magneto "Magneto, this is weird but I need you! Wolverine said he's got some problems and…" Rogue is flung back into a wall where the brick collapses on her. Holocaust looks to Rogue and smirks a little "Filthy little…" He turns back to the crater and frowns "Not good."

The underground plumbing was ripped up from Magneto's power, and the two ends had been crushed holding the water's force. A smirk, Magneto opens his two hands letting to two streams flush Holocaust into the air. Holocaust is flung up and back down in an arc where he is being pushed up onto a wall. Magneto stands up then levitates; faltering a little in the air he rises up again and channels his powers again. This time he charges a single small orb of blue electro energy that he then tosses into Holocaust making the orb glow inside the center of the beast. The waters are shut off and Holocaust glares with the steam of his heat to the cooler waters "You gave up finally?"

Holocaust has a large slab of the bus slam to his one arm, "What?" He glares now as many more of these metal ores flap and slap onto his body all over. The orb was a massive magnetic field that poured into the mainstream of the energy life which was Holocaust. Soon, Holocaust points out his one arm as he steps slowly towards Magneto. The arm stops inches from Magneto as does Holocaust before the weight of the metals weigh it and Holocaust's legs down so that he collapses on his knees. Holocaust's face was not covered, and in a snarl he screams "I will consume you mutant!"

Magneto smirks as he flashes his arm and the gauntlets wrap onto Holocaust's face "In a couple hours maybe, but right now enjoy the much deserved time out."

Magneto notices the rubble being pushed away, he raises a brow as Rogue stood and held herself with one rubble piece "That was one ornery varmint."

"Indeed. You have a great bit of strength Rogue."

"Part because of that demon feller from earlier. His strength is starting to ware off though so I'd best try not to be tossed around like this anymore."

Magneto nods "You seemed to need me, why again?"

"Well Xavier sent a message to Wolverine about how he seems to be worried. He has a bad feeling that all these villains were a diversion. I still don't know what is happening but now Wolverine want to see you.

"Very well perhaps it is best I meet with Wolverine as well."

Akaige slowly lets his claws retract, "Ah… took long enough!" his view spans to the empty shelves "What was it you were planning? Taking all these books and years of records?" Akaige turns to open a portal "Whatever it is it should be quite entertaining."

Wolverine slashes through some of the drones "These things just keep coming!" next the steel boot of Slade kicks a drone inches behind Wolverine. Wolverine looks back and glares, "Wilson?"

Slade turns to Wolverine and nods, "It has been a very long time Logan."

"Yeah tell me you still a psychotic freak who takes a sick pride in fighting people?"

"Gee… aren't you?"

Magneto lands with Rogue running up to them "I found him Wolverine."

"Great job kid. Magneto things are really bugging Charles about this fight."

"Rogue explained to me the matter of this fight. Charles feels that this was a diversion?"

Wolverine nods and turns to slash a droid. Magneto launches the metal men while asking "Can we please get on with this!"

"Oh, right! Well Charles keeps having a really bad feeling. He thinks this incident was a diversion. All these villains and monsters have such regenerative powers or high endurance that maybe they were meant only to keep our eyes on Jump City and not somewhere else." Magneto nods then thinks back to it all. Holocaust alone seems too endurable to keep down, and Nimrod was regenerating at a fast enough a level that beating him was nearly impossible. Brother Blood with his robotic enhancements, Sinister's immortal regenerative state, and Darkseid's powerful stone form all seem too specific to be coincidence. These many monsters did have the greatest in regeneration and endurance "You may be right Wolverine but how did our enemy know we would be here?"

"Maybe the dream? I mean, J'onn had this dream where he and Raven met their boss Akaige. So maybe that dream was the way to make sure we were all here. The question is why?"

Magneto now thinks about it, "Why did J'onn even tell you?"

"He and Xavier are friends. J'onn was scared for Superman because he has this major worry that Akaige was planning on killing Superman."

Magneto thinks to himself but soon it strikes, "Is it even possible?" Magneto floats into the air asking "Where is Blink?"

"I don't know sugah; you want us to find her?"

"Yes! It is of the utmost essence!" Magneto glares angrily as he flew off "It is a matter of life and death!"

Beast, the blue mutant teacher at the X-mansion mixes several chemicals "Remarkable! I am astounded by this mixture… though it seems quite…" the vials blow up and suite covers Beast's face "…Volatile…"

The black boy with golden hair steps in, his one arm wrapped in bandages "Beast I needed to talk to you."

"Ah, young Spyke what is it you need?"

Spyke looks to his arm, "You know how it feels to be seen as a mutant all the time. To have your powers at a constant." He sort of shifts as Beast nods to the arm "How do you… live with it?"

"I live with it for life is living with such trials. I remember a Chinese proverb that takes me to such a question. 'A fine diamond is never made perfect without friction, as are not men not made grand without the trials of their lives.'" Beast looks up to the ceiling, "Well, it was something of the sort. I seem to have trouble recalling what exactly it is that proverb said."

Beast jump up and hangs upside down. "Besides, it is not how I am perceived that make me who I am it is my own opinions based upon my own actions. When we live to the approval of others we never live at all." Before Beast could send another word of wisdom, Spyke puts up his arms saying "Okay! Okay! I get it…" He smirks "Thanks man."

"No problem… homes." Beast chuckles a little as Spyke rolled his eyes. Then the facilities power turned off, Beast drops down and glares "This is not a good thing. Let's see the professor…"

The facility now begins to secure itself with thick plating and bars. "This is an extremely bad situation! The facilities alarms and countermeasure's seem to be entering defensive status."

Charles Xavier was in the secret part of the mansion, the belly of Cerebra. He didn't seem too worried at first but then he had that feeling you get when you're alone in the dark too long. You feel watched, sometimes as if being stalked by the unknown around you. His mind begins to probe the room for other consciousness, but he finds none willing to be found. "Beast? Spyke? Anyone of you out there?" his probing reaches to the others in the house but he can not link to them. Obviously, someone was here and they were blocking his mind. "I never enjoy being alone in this mansion."

"Don't worry Charles." The hands wrap on Charles's shoulders, "You are not alone."

Xavier sits up straight "You're the Kagejin? Or rather their master?"

"Someone deserves a cookie." Akaige swooshes to the front of Xavier "Yes I am their master. As are you the master of the X-men. It is a pleasure, and a great nuisance to meet you all at the same time."

"Indeed. I would have to say the same for you."

"Oh my, that was a nice little insult Xavier. Who knew you had it in you?"

"So you came to kill me didn't you?"

"…?" Akaige's one brow rises, "How did you know?"

"I wasn't able to realize it too soon. It only came to me recently." Akaige pulls up a chair and sits on it backwards "That dream made both Raven and J'onn very scared. J'onn called me, like you wanted him to. His pleas caused my X-men to leave for Jump City where they fought those monsters of yours. I noticed each one was more around a damage taker than a dealer, granted they can dish it out but they are better at taking hits than giving them sometimes. Recently I was wondering why, J'onn says you wish to kill Superman. I believe you do, but you also wish to limit some other nuisances. The Cerebra I though may have been your target but it can be rebuilt. Then the idea you wanted to kill me and Magnus was thought out since you knew Magnus helped to build Cerebra originally. I soon realized as you were coming here, your goal was to kill me. It not only will leave the Cerebra useless or at least not to as great a potential as with me, but it also will deal a great amount of harm to the X-men."

Akaige sat a little impressed "I can see where this team of mutants gets their magnificent tactic. You have an interesting mind Xavier. I am starting to feel upset that I must kill you."

"Before you kill me there is something I want you to know." Xavier smiles a little wickedly for him "My will shall never die. My students the X-men have been raised with my dreams. They will sacrifice themselves if they must, I know in time they will be willing to do so. If to ensure the survival and victory of all humanity they will challenge your wicked ways till the end of time."

Akaige stood up and released his sword. His hood withdraws from his face allowing Xavier to see the face of his executioner. Xavier was in awe as he saw the facial expression of honest respect "This is the first time Xavier I can honestly say. It is an honor to kill a man with such a warrior's will."

Rogue drags Blink with her, "Come on! We need your help!"

"Let me go! I have to fight!" Sabretooth now leaps down with claws bare, "Let her go girl!"

"Shut it Sabretooth! Magneto and Wolverine want Blink!"

"Why would the X-men and Brotherhood be teaming up all of a sudden?"

"Calm yourself Sabretooth!" Magneto lands with Wolverine and Slade. "This is a matter important to both our sides."

"Magneto… I was just…"

"As touching this may be." Slade turns to his "friends" each in turn "I'm not really in the mood to take forever can we get this done and over with?"

Magneto nods, "Blink! Take us to the X-mansion!"

Blink nods and opens up a portal. The second Magneto enters he is in the mansion's Cerebra chamber. His view is on the hover chair, a trail of blood… and the man lying out of his toppled chair. "Xavier!" Magneto grabs Xavier and holds him with great sadness "My friend! Speak to me!"

The shadows hide the form of Akaige reattaching his hood. His eyes glow, and he hears the telepathy of Xavier. 'Magnus… my friend.' He coughs a little but his mind sends out more thought, 'This day is something I feared… The X-men have no leader, but I know they need one still. The students will need someone capable of leading them in an age… of war.'

"Charles what are you talking about?" The other heroes have arrived and Wolverine drops to his knees next to Charles. 'Logan. I know you to be my most loyal and noblest friend. You have shown a marvelous skill as my second in command. I ask in my absence, you show such respect to Magnus.'

Akaige is caught with some surprise; Wolverine also asks "What do you mean to him? You want him to be the… leader?"

"I do not hold to the same faith and dreams as your students Xavier. Besides, they would never listen to me. I have been their sworn enemy for all too long."

'I know Magnus. However, Logan will help to smooth out the transition. As for my dreams and faith, that is theirs to hold not yours. I only expect you to assist them until you find a replacement. I know Scott could not handle this duty, and Logan will be needed in battle too greatly, you too will need to fight but your mind is of battle. You know tactic, skills of warfare you have mastered in full. What I ask is only your leadership.'

"Charles… I am…"

Charles's hand reaches out to Magneto's shoulder, a shock to the now weeping Magnus he hears words he heard much as they were young men learning and studying in college, "I believe in you… Magnus… Please, try… to believe in… me…"

Magneto grabs the hand, and his eyes water as his grip tightens on the loose hand "My dearest friend Charles. I will do this for you. In your memory I will lead the X-men."

Rogue gasps as Blink rubs her head uneasily. Sabretooth sort of twitches a little, thinking he heard wrong. Slade looks with no emotion as Magneto now cradled Xavier with his eyes streaming. It was obvious even if they had been fighting each other; they still had a respect too far beyond each of their private goals. Magneto may have made a vow, but in time Slade wonders will Magneto not want to rekindle his own war for mutant supremacy? Why would Xavier want to allow the future of his team with a man like Magneto? He was smarter than most, perhaps he knew or had a feeling that it would work out in the end.

Akaige was in the shadows, his eyes slink in pleasure. "The will of Xavier can not die. Truly, a man deserving my respect fell by my blade." He disappears not being found out by his enemies, for now.

She studied long and hard, it was by all she knew days had passed. She didn't feel tired, or hungry, but she did feel a little annoyed. More and more the information was given to her. Malchior would not answer one thing, though she asks it again and again, "Malchior! What is it you know about…?"

"Akaige?" Malchior snaps throwing a book to the floor "You want to know what he is? Where he is spawned from? You want to learn the full extent of his powers? Is that all you wish to learn?" Raven blinks, "Um… yes."

Malchior huffs and wheezes a little before taking a calmer stance "Well… I will tell you HOWEVER you must keep to your training afterwards!"

"Yes Malchior thank you!" She levitates Indian style and looks to him widely eyed "What can you tell me?"

Malchior raises the pages from his book to make a sort of paper stool. He sits with his arms crossed and one leg over the other. Looking up he ponders on the question he looks to Raven and says "Akaige has to be the most worrisome demon I've ever known of. He has a great evil but also there is more to him. Malebolgia, myself, and Trigon are the purest of evils. We do all we can to rule and become more powerful. You know that all too well don't you my dear Raven?"

Raven glares on this teacher of hers, "Get on with it."

"Ah," He chuckles "Well you see my dear demons normally have one only goal to rise in power. Akaige's feelings and claims are not on the power one may gain, but the strength one may raise. Where me, my uncle and your father would hunger for power Akaige has come to a thinking all his own. He is like a balancing equation, he destroys all that there is to leave only shadow. When you get down to it, Akaige is not only evil and good but something worse. He is an old way of evil, destroying both sides to leave only what he wishes." Malchior glares to the downward stare of Raven "So, in conclusion Akaige is a very dangerous being who only thrives in chaos. The greater an obstacle to his plans the more diabolical his countering strike. His skills only grow in battle and he battles to become stronger, not more powerful but only stronger than what he once was. It is part of his warrior nature, a dangerous nature for a demon lord. His skills are legend, and magic the spells of dimensions he personally destroyed with his brethren and hidden in his private library with records more detailed and hundreds times greater than that of Fate himself. When you get down to it Akaige is the most destructive, diabolical, and notorious demon ever." Malchior is snide as he asks "Do you feel better now?"

"Yes." Raven's eyes show determination "Because I now am ready to do all it takes to stop him once and for all."

Superman looks at the body. He then thinks to Jump City "There is where I'll find him." He glares with fierce energy in his eyes "That's where I'll get my revenge and kill anyone who gets in my way."

Superman leaves not knowing the shadows laughed, and clench their claw on their face with such joy. The fool was falling into the exact trap he set, like all the others do when a trap is set from such a master of shadow.